24 Rather Curious Tower Bridge Facts You Probably Never Knew

Tower Bridge might be London’s most famous bridge but it’s not London Bridge. London Bridge is a bit further upriver and is pretty plain by comparison.

Over 50 Designs Were Submitted for the Bridge

The City of London Corporation held a competition for the design of a new bridge to help Londoners travel between the two sides of the Thames in 1876.

Over 50 designs were submitted but none were approved..

That’s until 1884 when the final design by architect Sir Horace Jones and civil engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry was picked.

The Same Architect who Designed Tower Bridge also Designed Many of London’s Famous Markets

Sir Horace Jones – the architect behind Tower Bridge shaped some of the most iconic buildings in Victorian London including Leadenhall Market, Smithfield Market and Billingsgate Market.

And He Never Lived to See the Bridge Completed

Sir Horace Jones sadly died in 1887, seven years before the bridge was completed on June 30th 1894. He did get knighted the year before he died though, so its not all that bad.

The Two Levered Sections are Called Bascules

The two sections in the central span are called bascules – and they raise up to an angle of 83 degrees.

It’s pretty impressive when you see it. Incidentally, bascule is derived from the French for see-saw – not hard to see why.

And they Weigh Over 1,100 Tons Each

In other words, they’re pretty heavy.

There’s a Huge Chamber Underneath the Bridge to Counterbalance the Bascules

The Bascule Chamber is one of London’s quirkier spots – a huge cavern underneath the bridge in which the counterweights swing to operate the bridge.

You can visit on a special tour – but they also have occasional concerts in the chamber as the acoustics are pretty incredible.

It Used to be Powered by Coal Burning Steam Engines

When Tower Bridge first opened, it used to be powered by coal burning steam engines, but these were replaced by a combination of electricity and oil in the 1970s.

Originally Tower Bridge’s Two High Level Walkways Were Created so Pedestrians Could Still Use the Bridge When it was Open

The two high level walkways were designed so that pedestrians would still be able to use Tower Bridge when it was open. However…

You can spy the walkways

The Walkways Fell into Disrepair and Became one of London’s Informal Red Light Districts

The walkways weren’t really used that much… and as a result they became one of London’s informal red light districts, frequented by ladies of the night looking for some custom.

They were closed in 1910 but now you can visit them as part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

The Facts and Figures Involved in Tower Bridge’s Construction are Pretty Mind-Boggling

Want an idea of how impressive the bridge is? Check out these Tower Bridge facts and figures.

Tower Bridge is made up of more than 11,000 tons of steel and the foundations needed more than 70,000 tons of concrete to support the structure. It also features over 31 million bricks and 2 million rivets.

Tower Bridge once Opened… With a Bus on it

This is hands down our favourite of the Tower Bridge facts we’ve found.

In 1952, a bus driver Albert Gunter was casually driving the 75 bus across the bridge when he noticed something odd happening.

Turns out Tower Bridge was doing what it’s best-known for… starting to open, but with the bus on it. Gunter had to put his foot to the floor and make the bus leap over the opening gap. He made it to the other side, safe and sound and was given the next day off for his bravery and quick thinking. Good old ‘Bertie. What a hero.

A Man Once Parachuted off Tower Bridge to Extol the Benefits of Parachuting

There’s a short film of Thomas Hans Orde-Lees jumping off of the Bridge in 1917 before parachuting safely into the River Thames below. His aim was to show the benefits of RAF pilots using parachutes.

Rather surprisingly, he was successful and the stunt is considered as the momentum for founding the Royal Parachute Regiment. Turns out that people have been pulling stunts on camera for over a century – Instagram and Youtube didn’t invent it at all!

A Plane Once Flew Between the Bascules and the Walkway

In 1912, a pilot called Frank McClean had to fly his short biplane in between the bascules and the walkways during an emergency. That must have been a close shave.

The Upper Walking Bridge has a Glass Floor

Yep, if you like a good thrill you can walk across a glass floor and look down on the traffic of the main bridge and the river below you.

Tower Bridge Used to be Much Less Colourful

Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue in 1977 to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Before that it was a boring old brown.

It’s since had another major facelift (between 2008 and 2016), which saw it transformed with the gorgeous bright blue and white we see t

It Took 432 Construction Workers Eight Years to Build Tower Bridge

We’d actually say that’s pretty fast when you look at it. It’s huge.

It Only Takes Five Minutes to Raise the Bridge

Which is kind of impressive when you consider how heavy the bascules are. The bridge is raised through a combination of hydraulic pumps powered by oil and electricity aided by heavy counterweights.

It’s Used by Over 40,000 People Per Day

See – Tower Bridge is not just a pretty face (though it does look rather brilliant too).

Ships have the Right of Way

As long as they have given the folks that operate Tower Bridge over 24 hours notice.

Everyone, and that means everyone, has to wait for a ship to pass – even Bill Clinton who famously had to wait for 20 minutes while a barge sailed through in 1997. They don’t care who you are, Tower Bridge is opening for a ship and you will just have to wait.

It also Opens Free of Charge

Apart from giving ships the right of way, they also pass through for free. According to the The Tower Bridge Act of 1885 ships will not be charged if passing through it required the bridge to be open.

It was Built to Look Much Older than it Actually is

When many people first see Tower Bridge they think it was built in mediaeval times but that’s not true.

We’re pretty sure no one would want to be walking on a bridge powered by mediaeval engineering – you can see how it happened though.

The bridge was built to look in keeping with its much older neighbour, The Tower of London, but we suspect the choice of style was also because Victorian’s loved a bit of Neo-Gothic architecture anyway.

The Bridge Took Part in the 2012 Olympic Ceremony

As part of the celebrations for the 2012 Olympic ceremony Tower Bridge took centre stage, adorned with the Olympic rings.

The Largest Lego Structure ever built was of Tower Bridge

A whopping 13-metre high lego structure of Tower Bridge holds the record and the largest thing ever built by the little building blocks. It required 5,805,846 individual pieces of Lego to complete.

Building it Cost a Lot of Money

Building Tower Bridge Cost £1,184,000 at the time, which is the equivalent of a staggering £152,616,515.39 in 2019.

Tower Bridge 101: Things You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Tower Bridge but Didn’t Know who to Ask

Not enough Tower Bridge facts for you? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about London’s famous landmark.

Why Was Tower Bridge Built?

Tower Bridge was built to make it easier for London’s fast-growing population to cross the river in Victorian times.

However, the new bridge also needed to accommodate the many ships that passed along the Thames, hence the unusual design.

When Was Tower Bridge Built?

Construction started on Tower Bridge on 21 June 1886 and finished on 30 June 1894.

Why is Tower Bridge Famous?

Tower Bridge is famous because it’s London’s most striking bridge thanks to its Neo-Gothic architecture and lifting central sections. When it opened, it was the most sophisticated bascule bridge in the world.

Who Built Tower Bridge?

Tower Bridge was designed by architect Sir Horace Jones and civil engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry.

How Often is Tower Bridge Raised?

Tower Bridge is raised around 850 times per year, which works out as around 2.3 times per day.

Are London Bridge and Tower Bridge the Same Thing?

No, they’re not. London Bridge is further upriver and is much plainer than Tower Bridge.

Can you Walk on Tower Bridge?

Yes, you can walk on Tower Bridge free of charge. However, you do need to pay to access the upper walkways.

How did Tower Bridge Get its Name?

Tower Bridge was named as it’s located next to the Tower of London.

There we are all the London Tower Bridge facts that you’ll ever need to know. You are now blessed with University Challenge levels of Tower Bridge knowledge. Go forth and impress your mates at the pub.

Looking for more interesting reads about London? Check these out…

• Cool and Quirky Facts about London
• 20 Unusual Things You Didn’t Know about the London Eye
• Quotes about London that Really Say it All
• The London Sightseeing Guide – Must See Spots in the City
• Brilliant Restaurants Near Tower Bridge

A Day Out At Tower Bridge (+ More Great National Lottery Days Out)

Find out all about about visiting Tower Bridge in London, as well as recommendations for other great places to visit with a National Lottery Days Out voucher.

Despite being a Londoner, it’s taken me a while to get to all of the city’s major attractions. I spent my early twenties as a London tour guide, sharing the history of some of the capital’s most famous sites. Yet, I didn’t go inside many of them! In fact, I was 28 years old when I first stepped foot inside the Tower of London. Shockingly I still haven’t ventured inside St Paul’s Cathedral, despite looking up at its beautiful dome hundreds of times.

I had a great day out in London visiting Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Then there’s Tower Bridge – London’s prettiest and most famous river crossing. I’ve walked over it hundreds of times, taken numerous snaps of it on sunny days, wintery days, snowy days, at sunset and even seen its bascules open for tall ships. But have I ever visited Tower Bridge’s walkways or stepped inside the Victorian engine rooms? No… well not until now!

I’ll tell you one thing… it was definitely worth the wait!

Every time I see Tower Bridge, I can’t quite believe how amazing it is. It really does look like something from a fairy-tale. I love how it’s always a hive of activity too, as tourists snap selfies by it, double decker buses cross over it, while passenger boats zoom under it.

Tower Bridge is one London’s most famous icons

National Lottery Days Out

There’s a great way to visit attractions such as Tower Bridge right now. Just purchase a National Lottery Lotto ticket and you’ll get the chance to claim £25 off hundreds of top days out across the UK. You can find out all about the amazing attractions taking part on the VisitBritain Shop.

I’ve had a good look and there are plenty of awesome options right across the UK, including Stonehenge, Cardiff Castle, London, Edinburgh and Belfast Zoos, Zip World, Windsor Castle, The Eden Project and The London Eye.

All you need to do is pop your 19-digit Lotto number into the website and you’ll receive your voucher code. If tickets are under £25 then you’ll basically get to visit a great attraction for free – how amazing is that?

Buy a National Lottery Lotto ticket and claim your £25 voucher

Many of us have spent the last two years cooped up, but it’s finally time to start experiencing what the UK offers again. It’s also worth remembering that tourism has had a rough ride, so it’s lovely that we can support businesses that have suffered. It’s even better when you’re saving money at the same time too!

I’m going to start by telling you a little more about my visit to Tower Bridge, then I’ll give you some tips for a few of the other great places to visit on a National Lottery Day Out.

Why visit Tower Bridge?

This visit made me realise that there is so much more to Tower Bridge than you see on billboards advertising the city! Yes, it’s spectacular, but it’s also got an incredible history and is an incredibly sophisticated feat of engineering. When you visit Tower Bridge, you get to learn more about its ingenious design and construction, stories from over the years as well as how it fits into London life today.

You’ll want to take lots of photos when you visit Tower Bridge

What can you see at Tower Bridge?

Many popular attractions have had to adapt over the last few years. In general, I’ve found this to be a good thing as often you have timed tickets (meaning places aren’t so crowded) and there’s a one-way system so you can peruse safely without contact with others.

This is the case at Tower Bridge where you book a timed ticket and then follow a one-way route through the attraction.

You start by climbing the North Tower, then walk across the iconic walkways (with the glass floor!) before going down through the South Tower. Then you wander along the bridge to the Victorian Engine Rooms.

Crossing one of the Tower Bridge walkways

I got quite emotional walking along the glass walkways. I had a moment of reflection as I gazed out, taking in the views of boats cruising down the River Thames, the historic Tower of London and the modern London skyscrapers. It made me think about my love for London, how it really does feel like home, and how lucky I am to be able to explore a city like this. Maybe I’m getting soppier as I get older, but it really did feel so special!

There are spectacular views of London from Tower Bridge

What is the history of Tower Bridge?

I learned so much as I explored the bridge’s interior. A whopping 1,000 workers helped to build the bridge over 8 years between 1886 and 1894. I couldn’t believe it when I read that chief architect Sir Horace Jones died just one year into the bridge’s construction. Apparently, he only saw the foundations of his bridge – just imagine never seeing the finished result! How devastating.

I couldn’t quite believe that back in 1894 the bridge employed 80 people to maintain and open the bridge, whereas today it’s just a small team of 12. It’s also amazing to think that the bascules were raised 20-30 times a day back then, while these days it’ll only be around that per week, on a busy week in the summer!

You get to see inside the Victorian Engine Rooms inside Tower Bridge

It was also interesting to learn about the opening of the bridge on 30th June 1894. Of course, this was a huge occasion, so the Royal Family were out in force. The Prince and Princess of Wales officially opened the bridge and paraded across the bridge in carriages.

The big moment came when the bascules (the moving elements of the bridge) were officially opened for the first time. The Prince pulled the lever, and twelve steam-boats passed underneath. What an amazing day that must have been!

What are the highlights of a visit to Tower Bridge?

I really loved this experience! I just found it fascinating to read all the stories of the bridge throughout history and the people who made it what it is today. The highlight was walking along the glass section of the walkways. Buses and taxis passed beneath my feet. I couldn’t resist lying down and snapping some comedy photos there too!

Lying on the glass floor of the walkway at Tower Bridge – what a rush!

Another highlight was seeing inside the engine rooms. Two of the old steam engines are still there, in lovely shiny green paint. They’re things of beauty, just like a vintage steam train!

One of Tower Bridge’s Victorian steam engines

The bridge wasn’t scheduled to lift on the day I visited, but the dates and times are listed here. I’ve seen the bascules raised before and it’s a very special sight!

Seeing the bascules of Tower Bridge lift is a very special sight

How much are tickets for Tower Bridge?

At the moment, an adult ticket costs £10.60 and a child ticket (age 5-15) costs £5.30. There’s a great value family ticket available for £18, which works for two adults and up to four children. Obviously, you could go free if you’re using your £25 voucher as part of the National Lottery Days Out promotion.

What are the opening times at Tower Bridge?

The experience is open from 9.30am to 6pm each day, with the last admission at 5pm.

What else is there to do near Tower Bridge?

If you fancy a whole day out in London, I’d recommend combining a trip to Tower Bridge with a visit to the Tower of London. It’s moments away and is such a fascinating place to explore. I’ll tell you a little more about my experience in a moment.

The Tower of London is moments away

If you’re looking for a vibrant spot for a coffee or lunch, I’d suggest visiting St Katherine’s Docks. This pretty marina is a few minutes’ walk from Tower Bridge and is home to lots of cafes and restaurants. If you’re keen on pasta, you simply have to visit Emilia’s. This small Italian restaurant serves indulgent carbonaras, tasty pappardelle ragu and oozing burratas! I was in heaven!

You’ll be in pasta heaven at Emilia’s in St Katherine’s Docks

Tell me about other National Lottery Days Out

As mentioned, Tower Bridge is just one of hundreds of attractions taking part in the National Lottery Days Out promotion. You can check out all of the amazing options here on the VisitBritain Shop, and enjoy great savings across the UK.

If you’re looking for suggestions within England, here are a few of my favourites on the list.

The Tower of London

If you’re thinking of visiting Tower Bridge, then how about combining it with a trip to The Tower of London next door? This historic castle dates all the way back to 1066, and has had many uses over the years including being a royal fortress, a prison, a zoo and of course, a place for gory executions. These days it’s where you can see the spectacular Crown Jewels.

I’d recommend visiting the Tower of London

We visited after visiting Tower Bridge and I thought it was just incredible. The fact you can wander ancient corridors that date back over 1,000 years just blows my mind. One of the highlights was the guided tour led by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater!) He was full of fascinating tales from over the years, and was truly proud to call this his home. It was also fun to spot the famous ravens. My advice – stay well back. Those beaks look pretty dangerous! If you want to find out more about visiting, read this handy Tower of London guide.

The London Eye

I’m a little biased on this recommendation, as I spun around on London’s iconic wheel hundreds of times when I was a London tour guide. However, this is one of the quintessential experiences in the capital and it really does offer sensational views. It’s amazing to think back to the Millennium when it was assembled as a ‘temporary’ structure. Thankfully the city fell in love with it and it’s here to stay!

The London Eye offers fabulous views of the city

One rotation on The London Eye takes around 30-minutes, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Windsor Castle. You’ll also enjoy amazing views of the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament, the Royal Parks and the city’s skyscapers.

Stonehenge

I’ve only seen Stonehenge briefly as I drove past, but I’d love to go on a National Lottery Day Out to explore it properly. It’s the most famous prehistoric monument in Europe, with a history dating back around 4,500 years. I’d love to wander the iconic stone circle and see how it feels to stand on ground that’s so iconic and yet still misunderstood.

History lovers will enjoy visiting Stonehenge

Windsor Castle

Dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle is an incredible place to visit, and an easy day trip from London. Wandering the grounds of the place that British kings and queens have lived for over 1,000 years is an amazing experience. I loved walking inside St. George’s Chapel, the place where Harry and Meghan tied the knot a few years ago. Just imagine being in their shoes in such a majestic place – wow!

Windsor Castle is an easy day trip from London

The Eden Project

If you’re craving a tropical getaway but don’t fancy getting on a flight, how about exploring the tropical domes at The Eden Project in Cornwall? Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an exotic rainforest. After exploring the steamy jungles, checking out lots of flora and fauna along the way, head up to the canopy walkway to see above the treetops.

The Eden Project in Cornwall is a great place to learn about the environment

I think this is a brilliant option for families looking to redeem their National Lottery Days Out voucher in the southwest of England. Kids and grown-ups alike will love learning more about the plants and trees, as well as zooming along England’s longest zipwire.

I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing all about my trip to Tower Bridge as well as finding out about other National Lottery Days Out. There are lots of great options all over the country, so be sure to look at where you could visit near you. Please note the offer is due to end in March 2022.

A big thanks to Visit England for inviting me to be a part of this campaign. As always, all opinions are my own. Click here for more inspiration on planning your next city break within England.